two career direction questions for an almost RN

12 posts · started Nov 27, 2007

Learningstill Nov 27, 2007, 4:50 AM
I am going to finish my ADN in about a month, why should I go on to get my BSN or MSN and if I should go on would it be better to go BSN to MSN or ADN to MSN?

All of my instructors tell me that I need to get my MSN but I feel that I would be giving up the one thing I really love, which is spending time with my patients and their families. I don't want to manage and I feel like as a nurse practitioner working in an office, I would be giving up time with my patients. Any thoughts on this? These are two questions I have really had to contemplate, any information would be appreciated.
FC_boi Nov 28, 2007, 4:57 AM
i hear you...im also feeling what you are feeling... first of all i dnt wanna work in an office, im more of a hands on type of guy if you will but i was also wondering , if ever i had my BSN or Masters would i still be able to work with patients i mean literally work with patiens or would i be stuck in an office?
AmandaWIRN Nov 28, 2007, 2:16 PM
Most nurses with their BSN work with patients just the same as ADN nurses do- I have my BSN, and I work as a staff nurse- 100% patient contact, every day. Now, I could choose to go into management if I wanted, but most BSN nurses aren't in management. With your master's, you can still work with patients, and not sit at a desk. If you are a nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or nurse anesthetist, most of your time will be spent in contact with patients.
FC_boi Nov 28, 2007, 5:03 PM
hmmm maybe i should just pursue the masters then since i can still work with patients..its really nice to hear that i can.
peekabooicu Nov 29, 2007, 6:22 PM
I am in the process of getting my ducks in a row so that I can pursue my Masters...I would like to teach nursing-I want to be the type of instructor that I rarely saw in school, the kind demonstrating compassion to her STUDENTS and patients while teaching the needed skills. I have seen instructors do some unthinkable, horrid things to students.
I think they forget that these students are also potential psych patients.
You can do direct patient care in most avenues of nursing. Good luck with your goals!
cougarnurse Nov 29, 2007, 10:30 PM
Peekaboo, if you want to teach BSN students, I believe a Doctorate is required. For ADN's and/or LPN's, Master's is fine.

Gotta give you guys credit....I do NOT want to take Stats, so a BSN is as far as I go.

An already crazy 'Cat'
peekabooicu Nov 30, 2007, 4:55 AM
Yes, I am aware of the requirements, my sister is an instructor. (but not an evil one)
I have already taken statistics. It ain't fun, but it was tolerable.
She had some of the worst Instructors when she went back to school for advanced care nursing.
Drum RN Dec 5, 2007, 3:29 AM
The only reason to go forward and get a Masters Degree in Nursing would be to become a Nurse Anesthetist. (for me that is). Why? Because for as much schooling as you go through, you don't get that much more in pay. It may look good on paper, but do you get the pay? Now a CRNA will make about twice or more than what a BSN makes.
The hoop I don't want to jump through is doing ICU for a year or more. I like the ER just fine and I'm good at it. And I think I could compete with some of those ICU nurses in RNA school.

I've done all the BS in nursing school already... why do it again?
Legal nurse consulting can pay well if you're good at it and get enough clients.
peekabooicu Dec 10, 2007, 11:33 PM
I wouldn't say that CRNA is the ONLY reason to get more schooling.
It is a good reason, to be sure, but it doesn't appeal to everyone.
To each his/her own.
Ricu Dec 11, 2007, 12:40 AM
Hi folks,

I'd like to weigh in on a few of these topics.

Bravo to anyone who wishes to further their education. I was always under the impression that in order to teach, one must possess the next higher degree ie, baccelaureate to teach associate; master to teach baccelaureate and so on.

When I did my own research on requirements to pursue CRNA training at the school near me, I was told that critical care exeprience could claimed if one worked in these areas; ICU, OR, and ER/Trauma.

Finally, I am of the opinion that any licensed nurse regardless of training should always be able to work at the bedside.

Have a good night,

R
silty1 Dec 29, 2007, 3:37 PM
I worked with an ADN for 20 years before I went back to school. At that point, I decided that there was little that a BSN program could teach me, so I got a BBA in Healthcare Administration, then a MBA in Healthcare Management. I tried the Management route and decided I missed my patients, so I am now in Case Management, and loving it. Don't let anyone pressure you into to MSN road , it is not the only one. In fact, the current trend is in dual degrees or Healthcare-related, but non-nursing degrees. I have never had a problem finding a job with my MBA, unless I want to teach, and as the shortage of nursing instructors increases, that may change.